Device for preserving the form of a shoe



Jan. 17, 1967 J. H. COULT 3,298,049

DEVICE FOR PRESERVlNG THE FORM OF A SHOE Fild Oct. 21, 1965 INVENTOR. JOHN H. COULT United States Patent 3,298,049 DEVICE FOR PRESERVING THE FORM OF A SHOE John H. Coult, Watertown, Mass. (1 Leland Road, Natick, Mass. 01760) Filed Oct. 21, 1965. Ser. No. 499,520 9 Claims. (Cl. 12--120.5)

This invention relates to devices for preserving the form of certain types of shoes.

It is well-known that a shoe, after having been worn for a period of time, tends to take the shape of the foot upon which the shoe is worn. Moisture from within and from without the shoe is absorbed by the shoe. Upon removal of the shoe from the foot, the shoe will tend to hold some of the peculiar configurations of the foot and will not completely restore itself to its original shape. As the shoe dries, it hardens in the distorted shape. Eventually, the sole of the shoe will curl upwardly, and the shoe will assume other distortions which are difficult, if not impossible, to remove.

Shoe trees have been used to preserve the form of shoes when they are not being worn; however, these fit tightly within the toe portion of the shoe and thus prevent the free circulation of drying air therethrough. Further, the bulkiness and design of a shoe tree makes it burdensome to carry in luggage when traveling.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a device for preparing the form of a shoe which makes possible more rapid and thorough drying thereof.

It is another object of this invention to provide a formretaining device for preserving the form of footwear which is extremely compact when stored.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a device for preserving the form of footwear which is operable with a wide range of sizes of footwear, and which automatically and instantly adjusts itself to compensate for the different sizes of footwear with which the device may be used.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a formretaining device for footwear which is easy to use and which is inexpensive to produce.

Other objects and advantages are evident from the following description. The subject matter constituting the present invention is distinctly claimed below.

Very briefly, in one embodiment thereof, the invention comprises tensive means joining two securing means for mounting the tensive means in a tensed condition external-1y of a shoe and between the longitudinal extremities thereof. These tensive and securing means are effective to restore a distorted shoe to its original undistorted form. Additional means function .to assist and improve this restorative action and additionally serve as a compact storage container for the tensive and securing means.

In order to better understand the invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 shows a shoe distorted by normal wear;

FIGURE 2 illustrates a device which is the preferred structural embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGURE 3 illustrates the device of FIG. 2 mounted in place upon a shoe;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the device mounted in place upon a shoe;

FIGURE 5 is a modified form of one element of the device illustrated in FIGS. 24; and

FIGURE 6 is a side of the element shown in FIG. 5.

Devices constructed according to this invention are most suitable for use with mens shoes and with womens flats. This invention utilizes the phenomena that if a sufiiciently great downward moment is exerted on toe end and on the heel end of the sole of a shoe distorted as by 3,298,049 Patented Jan. 17, 1967 normal use (see FIG. 1 of the drawing), not only is the original form of the sole restored, but the toe and the forward portion of the vamp are also restored to their approximate original form.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4 of the drawing, a device embodying the invention will be seen. Tensive means for producing tension is illustrated in these figures as an elastomeric web 10. The web 10 is connected at each end to securing means 11 for securing the web 10 in a tensed state between the toe and heel ends of a shoe 12, more specifically, between the toe end 14- and heel end 16 of the sole 18 of the shoe 12. In this application sole is used in a broad sense to distinguish from the uppers" of a shoe and includes the heel or any other element used to raise the rear portion of the sole off the ground or any other appurtenance thereof.

In order to make a one-way alignment of the device unnecessary, the securing means 11 at each end of the web 10 are preferably constructed alike. Each of the securing means 11 comprises a transverse member 20 of a length that is about two-thirds the width of the sole and at least as great as the width of the heel of the widest shoe with which the device is apt to be used. An offset portion 22 of the member locates the web .10 and prevents shifting of the web 10 in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the member 20. A strand 24 of material such as nylon is connected to the ends of the member 20 to form a loop which will engage the toe end 14- or heel end 16 of the sole 18, as shown in FIG. 4. The strand 24 is of sufficient length to fit around the heel of the shoe. Thus, if each of the transverse members 20 are of a length greater than the width of the heel portion of the sole and each strand is long enough to fit around the heel, either of the securing means will be effective to engage either end of the sole 18. With members '20 of this length, the strand 24 will not slip off the toe end 14 of the sole 18.

The device delineated above is operative as described; however, in order to increase the tension in the web 10 and to amplify the effective downward moments on the ends of the sole 18, means are provided for displacing a central portion of the device away from the sole 18. This means may comprise a tubular can 26' having a cap 28, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The can 26 is inserted beneath the web 10 transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof after the device has been mounted upon the shoe. It is evident that the insertion of the can 26 beneath the web 10 will increase the length of the device and thus the tension in web 10. It is also evident that displacement of the web 10 away from the sole 18 in the manner described will increase the moments acting on the ends of the sole 18 by augmenting the component of the force produced by the web 10 on each end of the sole in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sole 18. The can 26 is of a length and diameter suflicient to enclose the web 10 and both of the securing means 11. When not in use the device is easily and quickly stored in the can 26, making a compact unit which is extremely suited for travel, wherein luggage space is often limited.

This invention is not limited to the particular details of the embodiment illustrated and described. It is contemplated that various other modifications and applications will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, instead of an elastomeric web, the tensive means may comprise a spring or springs. Alternatively, the necessary tension might be produced in the securing means, rather than in an element connecting the two securing means; for example, by using strands which are elastomeric. A single elastomeric strand encircling the ends of the sole might constitute both the securing means and the tensive means. The two securing means need not be alike, having been shown to be so only because of the added convenience in mounting the device. The structure of the securing means might take many forms other than as described. For example, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a hook 30 which would be effective to secure the tensive means to an end of the sole. The means for displacing the tensive means away from the sole could take a variety of forms; however, a form is preferred which provides storage for the tensive means and the securing means. It is therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for preserving the original form of a shoe having uppers and a sole with a heel end and a toe end, comprising:

resilient tensive means disposed adjacent the outside of the sole,

first securing means attached to one end of said tensive means for securing said tensive means in a tensed state to one end of the shoe,

second securing means attached to the other end of said tensive means for securing said tensive means in a tensed state to the other end of the shoe, said first and second securing means engaging the respective ends of the sole on the opposed side of the sole from said tensive means whereby force is applied to the ends of the shoe along lines of force oblique to the longitudinal axis of the sole such that respective components of the forces transverse to the sole axis create moments tending to straighten the sole and thereby preserve the original form of the uppers and the sole of the shoe, said first and second securing means being substantially identical and each comprising a transverse member and a strand connected thereto to form a loop of a length greater than the length of said member for engaging an end of the sole.

2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said members each include a centrally disposed ofiset portion for receiving and locating an end of said tensive means.

3. The device defined by claim 1 wherein said tensive means comprises an elastomeric web.

4. The invention defined by claim 1 including means for displacing a portion of said device adjacent the outside of the sole in a direction away from the sole to increase the tension of said tensive means and for increasing the moments acting on the heel end and the toe end of the sole.

5. The device defined by claim 7 wherein said means for displacing said tensive means is a hollow cylindrical storage container.

6. A device for preserving the original form of a shoe having uppers and a sole with a heel end and a toe end, comprising:

an elastomeric web disposed adjacent the outside of the sole;

first and second substantially identical securing means attached to said elastomeric web for securing said web in a tensed state between the toe end and the heel end of the sole, said securing means each comprising a transverse member and a strand connected thereto to form a loop for engaging an end of the sole, said strands engaging respective ends of the sole on the opposed side of the sole from said web whereby a force is applied to the ends of the sole along lines of force oblique to the longitudinal axis of the sole such that respective components of the forces transverse to the sole axis create moments tending to straighten the sole and thereby preserve the original form of the uppers and the sole of the shoe; and

means for displacing a portion of said web adjacent the outside of the sole in a direction away from the sole to increase the length of said Web and thereby the tension therein and for increasing said force components acting on the heel end and the toe end of the sole.

7. The device defined in claim 10 wherein said means for displacing said tensive means is a separate hollow cylindrical storage container for said first and second securing means and said elastomeric web.

8. The device defined by claim 1 wherein said members respective lengths are at least two-thirds the width of the sole.

9. The device defined by claim 10 wherein said members respective lengths are at least two-third the width of the sole.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,522,636 9/ 1950 Pohlmann 12-1205 3,210,787 10/1965 Allsop r- 12-120.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 188,639 5/1956 Austria. 101,386 2/1899 Germany. 1,112,613 8/1961 Germany. 113,362 2/ 1945 Sweden.

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR PRESERVING THE ORIGINAL FORM OF A SHOE HAVING UPPERS AND A SOLE WITH A HEEL END AND A TOE END, COMPRISING: RESILIENT TENSIVE MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT THE OUTSIDE OF THE SOLE, FIRST SECURING MEANS ATTACHED TO ONE END OF SAID TENSIVE MEANS FOR SECURING SAID TENSIVE MEANS IN A TENSED STATE TO ONE END OF THE SHOE, SECOND SECURING MEANS ATTACHED TO THE OTHER END OF SAID TENSIVE MEANS FOR SECURING SAID TENSIVE MEANS IN A TENSED STATE TO THE OTHER END OF THE SHOE, SAID FIRST AND SECOND SECURING MEANS ENGAGING THE RESPECTIVE ENDS OF THE SOLE ON THE OPPOSED SIDE OF THE SOLE FROM SAID TENSIVE MEANS WHEREBY FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE ENDS OF THE SHOE ALONG LINES OF FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE SOLE SUCH THAT RESPECTIVE COMPONENTS OF THE FORCES TRANSVERSE TO THE SOLE AXIS CREATE MOMENTS TENDING TO STRAIGHTEN THE SOLE AND THEREBY PRESERVE THE ORIGINAL FORM OF THE UPPERS AND THE SOLE OF THE SHOE, SAID FIRST AND SECOND SECURING MEANS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL AND EACH COMPRISING A TRANSVERSE MEMBER AND A STRAND CONNECTED THERETO TO FORM A LOOP OF LENGTH GREATER THAN THE LENGTH OF SAID MEMBER FOR ENGAGING AN END OF THE SOLE. 